Additional Coverage:
- Nancy Guthrie latest: Sheriff Chris Nanos ordered to testify over excessive force claims (irishstar.com)
Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos is currently facing scrutiny after being required to testify about allegations concerning the accuracy of his early law enforcement record. The controversy arises amid ongoing criticism of his management of the Nancy Guthrie disappearance case-a high-profile investigation that remains unresolved since Guthrie was reported missing in Arizona on February 1.
Nancy Guthrie’s family, including her daughter Savannah Guthrie, has offered a $1 million reward for any information leading to her safe return. Despite this, Sheriff Nanos has issued a firm, five-word caution to the public while continuing to support the investigators working on the case of the missing 84-year-old woman.
Records obtained from the El Paso Police Department by the Arizona Republic reveal a history of disciplinary issues during Nanos’ tenure as an officer in Texas. Over the course of his career there, he faced suspension on eight separate occasions for various allegations, including excessive use of force, off-duty gambling, tardiness, and making false statements. These incidents date back more than 40 years.
One particularly serious allegation involved Nanos using excessive force on a handcuffed suspect, resulting in the suspect being hospitalized due to blood loss. This incident led to a 15-day suspension.
According to an incident report, officers, including Nanos and Sgt. Jesus Ortega Jr., responded to a potential aggravated robbery.
The suspect, Carlos Urias, was intoxicated and uncooperative. Ortega reported witnessing Nanos repeatedly strike Urias, throw him against a patrol vehicle, and use a headlock-all while the suspect remained handcuffed.
The report states that Nanos admitted to losing control during the encounter and expressed regret for the injuries caused, clarifying that he did not intend such harm.
Additional allegations against Nanos include threatening a witness who filed a disciplinary complaint, fabricating an encounter with the same individual, and verbally abusing and threatening women. There were also reports of him arriving late to shifts after oversleeping and being caught gambling during an undercover operation.
Despite these disciplinary issues, the records highlight positive moments in Nanos’ career. In 1979, he was credited with saving a fellow officer’s life, and a year later, he earned the Officer of the Year award. Ultimately, however, Nanos resigned in 1982 before facing dismissal.
In response to inquiries, the Pima County Sheriff’s Department stated that Sheriff Nanos has addressed these past matters with the Pima County Board of Supervisors. The investigation into Nancy Guthrie’s disappearance continues amid this renewed focus on the sheriff’s background.